operation
gb/ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃən/
A2
English
~ 700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
action
1
Planned activity to achieve something
A planned set of actions done to reach a goal.
Usage pattern:
to carry out [an operation]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'operation' with 'opportunity'. 'Operation' means an organized activity, not a chance to do something.
Synonyms
mission (Often used for military or space contexts, slightly more formal.)
|
undertaking (Emphasizes a project or task, often large or challenging.)
Antonyms
inaction (The absence of any activity toward a goal.)
Collocations
military operation
|rescue operation
|covert operation
|joint operation
|police operation
Themes
business
|military
|daily life
|work
Examples
- The rescue operation saved dozens of people trapped in the building.
- The police launched a major operation to catch the drug traffickers.
- The charity’s latest operation aims to provide clean water to remote villages.
Learner examples
- The rescue operation helped many people.
- The police started an operation to find the missing child.
- The company began an operation to open a new store.
Noun
A2
action
2
Medical surgery or procedure
A medical treatment where doctors cut into the body to fix a problem.
Usage pattern:
to have [an operation]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'operation' with 'treatment'. An 'operation' is specifically surgical.
Synonyms
surgery (More common in medical contexts; refers specifically to the procedure.)
Antonyms
noninvasive treatment (A treatment that does not require cutting into the body.)
Collocations
have an operation
|undergo an operation
|life-saving operation
|minor operation
|surgical operation
Themes
health
|medicine
|body
Examples
- She had an operation on her knee last year.
- The patient needs an urgent heart operation.
- After the operation, he stayed in the hospital for two weeks.
Learner examples
- I had an operation on my leg.
- The doctor will do the operation tomorrow.
- He is better after the operation.
Noun
technical
B1
state
3
State of working or being active
When a machine or system is working and doing its job.
Usage pattern:
[something] is in operation
Synonyms
functioning (Refers broadly to something working as intended.)
Antonyms
shutdown (When something stops working or is turned off.)
Collocations
in operation
|out of operation
|put into operation
|cease operation
Themes
technology
|engineering
|science
Examples
- The new subway line will be in operation next year.
- This machine has been in continuous operation for 24 hours.
- Due to maintenance, the elevator is out of operation.
Learner examples
- The bus service is in operation today.
- The machine is out of operation now.
- The factory is in full operation.
Noun
technical
B2
action
4
Mathematical or logical process
A way of working with numbers or data, like adding or multiplying.
Synonyms
calculation (Emphasizes the result of applying mathematical operations.)
Antonyms
data storage (Keeping data without changing it.)
Collocations
mathematical operation
|logical operation
|basic operations
Themes
mathematics
|computing
|science
|technology
|education
Examples
- Addition and subtraction are basic mathematical operations.
- The program performs several operations on the input data.
- Division is the opposite of the multiplication operation.
Learner examples
- Addition is a math operation.
- We use this operation to get the answer.
- Multiplication is an important math operation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
operation
IPA
GB/ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
op - er - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (er)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: operation
- Plural: operation, operations
Word family
Forms
operations
noun
Related words
operational
adjective B1
operationally
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
inoperative
adjective
inoperable
adjective
Advanced or less common
operative
adjective B2
Expressions
in operation
1/ˈɪn ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Currently working or active
Working and being used right now.
Examples
- The new airport terminal is now in operation.
- The old factory has not been in operation for years.
out of operation
1/ˈaʊt əv ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Not working or active at present
Not working or being used right now.
Examples
- The elevator is out of operation due to repairs.
- The website will be out of operation for maintenance tonight.
covert operation
1/kˈoʊvɚt ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
secret planned military or spy action
A planned military, spy, or political action that is done in secret so that people do not know who is behind it.
Examples
- They carried out a covert operation to gather intelligence.
- They authorized a covert operation to gather intelligence inside the country.
- The covert operation was revealed by journalists.
- The book reveals several covert operations carried out during the war.
- Congress demanded to know who had approved the covert operation.
military operation
1/mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Planned action by soldiers
An organized action by the army, navy, or air force to reach a goal.
Examples
- The military operation lasted three weeks.
- The military operation lasted three days.
- They planned a joint military operation with allied forces.
- Several countries joined the military operation.